About EPA Environmental Justice Research
- What is Environmental Justice?
- What is Environmental Justice Research?
- What is the role of environmental research at EPA?
What is Environmental Justice?
Overall, the United States has made tremendous strides in improving environmental conditions in our air, water, and land since the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970. However, the benefits of those improvements, such as reducing environmental health risks, have not been enjoyed evenly or equitably.
Many studies have established that sources of environmental hazards are disproportionately located in communities that have a majority population of people of color, low-income residents, or indigenous peoples.
Environmental Justice is the recognition of those inequities—and of the need to address them. It is defined as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Learn more about Environmental Justice at EPA.
What is Environmental Justice Research
Like in other areas of environmental protection, research plays a critical role in advancing environmental justice. EPA researchers play a leading role in that effort across the environmental justice and research communities.
What is the role of environmental justice research at EPA?
EPA research related to environmental justice is aimed at strengthening the scientific foundation for actions at the Agency, Tribal, State, local, and community levels to address environmental and health inequalities in overburdened populations and communities.
Through a robust research portfolio using both fundamental and community-based research approaches, Agency scientists and their grantees are developing the data and information, as well as model, tools, and other translational resources to support decision-making.
The Agency’s Office of Research and Development ORD has identified four core research areas for addressing environmental justice:
- Developing decision-support tools,
- Improving our understanding of environmental health disparities and developing data and methods for assessing cumulative risk;
- Supporting Tribal science; and
- Characterizing climate justice.
Learn more about EPA’s environmental justice research program.